Thin precast wall panel construction



May 5, 1964 M 515K 3,131,514

THIN PRECAST WALL PANEL CONSTRUCTION Filed DGO. 19, 1958 if f gz A awr United States Patent 3,131,514 THIN PRECAS' WALL PANEL CONSTRUCTION Metta Siek, Hamburg, Germany (775 Hofmattstr., Beinwil am See, Aargau, Switzerland) Filed Dec. 19, 1958, Ser. No. 781,623 Claims priority, application Germany Jan. 8, 1958 8 Claims. (Cl. Sil- 272) The invention relates in general to panels and building boards and particularly to at, curved or profiled cover and insulating walls or panels or walls and also to a method for producing the same.

Building panels and building boards are known which have good heat and sound insulation properties. Such panels, for example, are phenolplasts, provided with a fabric ply, vinylpolymers and to a limited extent also kinds of vulcanite based on natural or synthetic rubber. The other generally used synthetic materials, such as e.g. polyisobutylene or thioplast can only be used as coverings for other materials.

The known panels have the disadvantage that they are comparatively heavy and have a considerable thickness. The use thereof is thus limited. Moreover they are not pleasant in appearance so that generally they have to be covered when used for insulating rooms.

It is moreover known, for example, to use mosaics for decorating walls, which in known designs are directly embedded in the plaster or in a hardenable mass such as gypsum applied to the wall.

Known mosaic designs above all have the disadvantage due to the peculiarity of production thereof that they are xedly disposed, so that mosaic designs are produced only to a comparatively limited extent. A portable version of mosaic designs has hitherto not been successful, since such mosaic designs are extraordinarily heavy so that the hanging of same in rooms involves considerable diiiiculties.

1t is the object of the invention to provide cover and insulating walls or panels or wall coverings which are also suitable for furniture and other articles of use, which with excellent strength and great climatic resistance only have a slight thickness and can be readily fitted according to choice. Such panels and wall coverings are produced according to the invention in that a synthetic material in a plastic state is charged into a pressure resistant mould open at the top or the side and for the intended purpose is adapted as a negative, into which for strengthening the surface of the synthetic material small plate-shaped elements are arranged, whereupon the mould is closed against internal pressure and the synthetic material is hardened by heating. The plate-shaped elements consist of natural stones or synthetic stones, particularly brick. However, the invention can also be practiced by employing other materials which have been treated with synthetic substances for instance, paper board mache, which latter is preferably used in the form of brick strips. Furthermore, the plate-shaped elements may consist of mosaic-like elements, for instance made of plastics or glass.

One or more binding plys are preferably introduced in the synthetic material for strengthening same.

The small plate-shaped elements according to one embodiment are, for example, secured by cementing after the synthetic material has set. A suitable binder which is well known in the art as a binder for paints is employed. According to another embodiment the small plate-shaped elements at least partially are embedded in the synthetic material.

In the method according to the invention, preferably several synthetic materials having different properties regarding insulation, damping, tire resistance, strength and climatic resistance are inserted in the mould in alternate layers. This also includes the arrangement of ICC inserting such synthetic materials with different properties mixed into the mould. The spaces on the rear side and/ or sides of the small plate-shaped plates are filled preferably, with a synthetic material having special properties, for example they are fire resistant. As the spaces are filled independently of the synthetic material to be bound with re resistant substances, for example, mortar or cement. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the spaces between the plate-shaped elements when lled with fire resistant cement or mortar are provided with a coating of bitumen.

According to a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention the small plate-shaped elements, e.g. While maintaining the spaced relationship thereof are placed as a negative on the bottom of the mould. That is to say so placed in position that the rear surface of the ornament faces the interior of the mould. In this case especially the small plate-shaped elements are detachably fixed with their front surface on the bottom of the mould, for example, by means of a cement. The invention includes the design according to which the small plate-shaped elements are fixed on a sheet, for example, of paper, or a web, for example, of fabric, by cementing and then inserted in the mould. It is moreover within the scope of the invention for the small plate-shaped elements to be detachably fixed with their upper surface on the lid of the mould. With this arrangement the small plate-shaped elements are impressed into the mass of synthetic material when the cover of the mould is placed in position.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the method when producing a wall, both wall surfaces of the synthetic material acting as carrier are strengthened by small plate-shaped elements. A preferred embodiment of the method of the invention herewith provides for the small plate-shaped elements for one wall surface to be detachably fixed on the bottom of a flat mould with the outer surface facing downwards and the small plate-Y shaped elements, provided for the other wall surface to be detachably fixed with the outer surface against the mould cover.

The invention provides for the use of synthetic mate-I rial which is dyed when being produced or subsequent thereto. According to a further embodiment an adhesive agent is applied to the synthetic material and textile dust, for example, velvet-silk in different colors sprayed thereon.

According to the invention there is used a synthetic material for example on the base of polystyrol which after sett-ing is solid, tough and weather resistant, but which,

for example, may be separated by cutting or sawing. The

terial on the basis of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or poly? ester, but preferably polystyrol which after setting is solid, tough and weather resista-nt, but which, for example rnay be separated by cutting or sawing. A foaming synthetic material with open or closed pores is particularly preferred. The synthetic material used moreover has the property :of being insensitive and impermeable to fungus and salftpeter, so that in combination with the impermeability to water, due to the invention, particularly cellar spaces, walls, ceilings and iloors-of old buildings may be covered or faced. With this embodiment of the invention the mould is formedby a plate, which is preferably pressure pro-of and a good heat conductor and, for example, is made of iron in combination with the wall and disposed `at a suitable distance from the wall to be sealed or covered. This plate, for example, is bolted at the necessary distance from the wall. On the inner surface orf the plate which so to speak forms the front surface of the mould there are fixed 4the small plate-shaped elements. With this known design the cover wall is applied directly on the material and firmly'connecd with this 3 material by means of pressure and heating. The heating, for example, is introduced by introducing hot steam beneath the said plate, whereby also the necessary pressure sets in. If the plate does not cover the Whole wall, then of course the gaps produced at the sides of the plate are accordingly sealed oi.

The use of separable synthetic material as a carrier offers the advantage that after producing a cover Wall or wall covering it is possible for suitable panels to be out When the small plate-shaped elements are also adapted to be separated. This applies in largely to the use of small plates of synthetic material. If, 'for example, small glass plates are used it is possible to separate by the fact that the surface of the cover wall or Wall covering is at iirst scored with a glass cutter and then the subsequent separation is effected by cutting or sawing. Herewi-th there are :obtained panels, cover Walls or Wall coverings which while having Ya slight thickness, for example, of only l cm. show considerable strength, as the synthetic material by the embedding of small plate-shaped elements, for example, Iof a thickness of 0.5 cm., are strengthened to a considerable extent. These small plateshaped elements, which preferably may consist of brick, artificial or natural stone, synthetic ceramic or materials treated with the same, such 'as papier mache, are over and above this extremely resistant Ito external influences, so that the resistance of the cover Walls or Wall coverings against Weather or mechanical iniiuences is increased.

The invenion also provides the use of small plateshaped elements preferably small transparent plates of synthetic material or small glass sections, which also have the property of considerably strengthening the mass of synthetic material and to increase the resistance thereof to externa-l inlluences. When using small :colored synthetic material plates or small glass sections it is `also rendered possible when hardening to apply an ornamental pattern on the front surface of the cover wall or Wall covering; this ornament may be in the form of a mosaic design.

"Ihe invention provides a panel, cover lvvall or Wall covering which is designed as an independent element and even `with a comparatively large size lof panel having 4a good resistance despite its slight thickness, is self supporting. As a particular advantage it is emphasized that when producing the cover Wall it is possible for fixing elements such as screw bolts, nuts, catch elements or the like to be cast therein, by which fixing is considerably facilitated. Such plates, cover Walls or Wall coverings are comprised -of a carrier panel of synthetic material in the front surface of which small plate-shaped elements are embedded for strengthening purposes. The panels may also be lu-sed as ceiling or floor panels.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is also possible for facing bricks to be used as such small platcfshaped elements. Thus the invention renders possible the building of a house from prefabricated units by a dry building method, in that wall coverings in accordance to the invention are arranged on the external and internal surface of Ithe supporting Wall. In this case the external surface is preferably provided with facing bricks, which hence no longer need to be embedded in the` mortar. Moreover there is obtained the advantage that there may be provided an insulating space between the cover Wall carrying the facing bricks and the supporting wall,y which in addition may simply be adjusted by means of the elements cast into the cover Wall. It is advantageous in the design with facing bricks to provide the side not iitted with bricks ofthe panel, with grooves, which extend in different directions and which are interconnected and rwith their ends are each led to an edge of the panel. These grooves may be arranged, by correspondingly designing the mould With ribs.

On the inner surface of the wallcoverings arranged on the carrying Wall are provided according to a preferred embodiment with mosaic-'like `disposed small reinforcing plates and at :the same time serve in a novel manner as a `so-called upright tapestry. Such wall coveringsl however may also be fitted in conventional rooms in place of Wall paper, whereby they have .the advantage of a substantially increased resistance and durability than known Wall papers. For this purpose the wall coverings in the `form of small plates, for example, are produced with a width of 8O cm. and a height of 2.30 m. Such self supporting panels `are only about 1 cm. thick so that they are light and take up more space only to an irrelevant extent than :ordinary wall papers. It is to be taken into consideration in this case that when using such wall coverings it is unnecessary to apply any plaster. When fitting such so-called upright Wall papers with a slight clearance from the supporting wall there is obtained in addition an insulating space, which, besides the goed insulating eifeot inherent in the Wall coverings, excellently improves the insulation of the wall.

The binding ply in a preferred embodiment is flexible and preferably comprises a mesh, for example of wire or strands of synthetic threads or strips, viz. preferably synthetic material reinforced by glass libre. Such a binding ply is particularly advantageous when by utilizing the inherent elasticity of the synthetic material carrier, the walls or the articles after being produced are to have a curvature formed therein. Moreover the binding ply preferably serves as iixing means, more especially when edges or portions of the binding ply project beyond the edges of Wall portions.

According to an especially preferred embodiment of the invention there are provided rigid inserts in the form of reinforcements, for example, of round stock or synthetic material, which at least at certain edges project beyond the wall or panel or are inserted into guides and serve the fixing and the guiding of a panel which is used as Wall. Buildings constructed in such a manner by using panels coated with facing bricks may be regarded as earthquake proof as there is considerable elasticity.

More especially when hardening the surface on either side by means of small plate-shaped elements it is advantageous by means of this reinforcement to fit one or more sockets on the lower edge of the panel acting as a Wall, so that the wall is adjustable and may hence be employed as a mobile partition. In a preferred embodiment the socket is provided with Wheels. A special ernbodiment of the invention provides for this socket at the same time to be iitted with supporting elements, for example, for iiower boxes or borders or table tops.

A Wall constructed in this manner and more especially adapted to be displaceable is of a height corresponding to the height of the room in which the wall is to be used. In one embodiment reinforcements conveniently project beyond the upper edge of the Wall and serve for the connection of the wall with the corresponding connecting elements in the ceiling. According to a special embodiment the elements projecting at the top beyond the Wall are tted with rollers which run in rails. in this embodiment the socket also runs in rails let into the door, whereby the corresponding walls are displaceable in certain directions and at the same time are guided at the top and at the bottom. This embodiment offers the advantage that a wall so constructed owing to its more stable guiding can be hung with articles. The arrangement more especially of iiower boxes on the socket, also without separately guiding the Wall, due to the bringing about of a lower centre of gravity, contributes towards the stability of the wall.

It is pointed out that the invention more especially when tting a` wall With several sockets which are equipped with Wheels, may, for example, be used as a mobile wall adapted for hanging pictures thereon or be used as coat and hat rack. It is herewith unnecessary for the Wall to reach to the floor or for the sockets to continue throughout. lf the wall is used as an adjustable partition for rooms, the invention conveniently produces a continuons socket and also means to obtain an as complete as possible sealing effect.

According to a further embodiment of the invention reinforcing elements or parts connected therewith project at certain points beyond the lateral edges of the portable Wall erected. In this embodiment there are provided several mobile walls belonging to a set, which at their lateral edges have projecting elements and also recesses, whereby recesses and projecting elements are so matched with regard to the walls of a set that the elements projecting from one wall engage in the recesses of the other wall. This renders possible for several mobile walls to be arranged by choice in a room for dividing same and for these walls to be connected with one another without any special additional means.

When producing mosaic designs the comparatively thin synthetic material panels serving as carriers are arranged in frames. This renders it possible for the synthetic material of the carrier to be cast into recesses formed in the frame or for the frame to be fixed in position by pinning, screwing or cementing. The frame may have a U-shaped profile the open side of which faces the synthetic material. The use of strip or L-shaped proiile frames is also provided for. In the case of large mosaic designs the frames are itted on the outside thereof with devices for assembly, in order to assemble a mosaic design from several sections. By developing mosaic designs in such a manner there is prevented the destruction of the work of art due to fungus, saltpeter or the like. Moreover it is possible for the designs to be dismantled when demolishing the wall, if the mosaic designs are built into the wall.

The panels or strips produced according to the method of the invention are suitable moreover in a particularly favorable manner for covering furniture. On the one hand it is to be taken into consideration that it is possible for the cover panels to be of a curved design in that a correspondingly adapted mould is used. On the other hand the use of a synthetic material which may be divided renders possible cutting to size panels with regard to their intended use, whereby the production is also considerably simplified because merely moulds for panels of certain sizes are required.

Further advantages and features of the invention are evident from the description of some of the preferred embodiments represented in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a section through a cover Wall adapted in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section through a cover wall having a binding plv;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of a wall with facing elements for connecting with another mobile wall;

FIG. 5 is a section through a panel having small plateshaped elements partly embedded therein and cemented thereon;

FIG. 6 is a section through a plate having small plateshaped elements partly embedded therein and arranged in sections;

FIG. 7 is a partial side elevation of a further embodiment of a panel in section;

FIG. 8 is a partial side elevation of a panel with a frame;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a construction unit;

FIG. l0 is a perspective partial view tof two plateshaped units Vto be joined together.

FIG. 1 is a section of a cover wall constructed in accordance with the invention. This cover wall, for example may be used as a wall tapestry covering. The cover wall is comprised of a carrier of a synthetic material 1, in one surface of which, namely the front surface, are embedded small plate-shaped elements 2. It is evident that the front surface of the small plate-shaped elements is accurately aligned. This 'is obtained by the fact that this front surface is detachably iixed during production on a base. In a special embodiment of the invention the attachment of the plate-shaped elements to the described carrier, prior to its hardening, contemplates the employment of plate-shaped elements provided with grooves on its rear face, whereby the grooves are dovetailed in cross section, so that an additional holding power is created when the plastic enters these grooves. These grooves, preferably are coated with a special binding substance.

In the embodiment shown the small plate-shaped elements 2 are approximately half the thickness of the cover wall. In accordance with the invention it is possible for the ratio of thickness of the small plates 2 relative to the 'thickness of the cover wall to be varied, more especially for the thickness of the small plate-shaped elements 2 to be made half as thick as the wall.

Between each small plate-shaped element there is a space 3, which is permeated by the mass of synthetic material. Due to the fact that the spaces 3 are made narrow or wider it is possible for certain properties to be brought about. Especially by using an elastic synthetic material, larger spaces 3 allow a certain degree of deformation by bending. In the design having the narrow spaces the resistance of the front surface of the cover wall is increased, and more especially also the self supporting property for panels, for example, also of upright tapestry or wall covering improved. According to a preferred embodiment the small plate-shaped elements have an irregular rear surface, so that they are embedded at varying depth in the mass of synthetic material 1.

`In the example shown moreover there is provided a fixing element 4. This iixing element is a screw bolt which by way of its head 5 is embedded in the mass of synthetic material.

As already mentioned there is the possibility, for example, for screw nuts also to be embedded, the inner opening after the cover wall has been produced may be exposed, since the synthetic material used is adapted to be separated.

The wall shown in FIG. 2 is comprised of a synthetic material carrier 6, the internal surface of which is strengthened by means of small plate-shaped elements 7. In the synthetic material bodies there is embedded a binding ply 8, which is located behind the small plate-shaped elements. Also embedded in the synthetic material are the iixing elements 9, l0 and in a preferred embodiment simultaneously connected with the binding ply. If, for example, this binding ply comprises a wire mesh, such a connection may be effected by way of soldering.

The binding ply 8 has the advantage of increasing the strength. It is pointed out that the invention includes arrangement according to which binding layers are used only in the form of wires extending in parallel direction relative to one another, which owing to the insulating property of the synthetic material may be used as desired as main feed lines.

On the side not equipped with small plate-shaped elements there are formed grooves 49. Corresponding grooves also extend in vertical direction.

FIGS. 9 and l0 show constructional panels. In FIG. 9 there is shown a slab-like constructional element 49, which on the front is faced with brick iillets Si), 51. The brick iillets are disposed in staggered relationship. For example, two brick iillets Si) are arranged adjacent to one another. In the row beneath there is a brick fillet 51, which is offset relative to the brick lillet 50. At the side of the brick fillet 5l there are formed recesses to receive further Vbrick fillets, which recesses extend beyond the plateansiet addition to this the butt surfaces of the structural elements 49 are cemented to one another. There exists, for instance, the possibility, to secure the rods 53 iixedly to a carrier arm and to string the plates 49 on these rods. It is also possible to mount the lower ends of the rods in a sill-like carrier member and after completing the wall by Stringing the plates 49 to arrange a finishing hook at the top.

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 10. This embodiment is composed of two slabs 54, 55, which on the front surface thereof are provided in the described manner with brick fillets 56. In the rear surfaces thereof facing one another there are formed straight grooves 57, 58 of semi-circular cross section, By means of these grooves it is possible for the panels 54, 55 to be so fitted on a frame carrier arranged in the frame structure, that the rear surfaces of the panels 54, 55 abut against one another and are fixed, for example, by cementing to one another.

There is the possibility of using panels, one of which is provided with brick fillets for the external surface of a housing and the other provided with small mosaic plates for the interior wall of a room. Buildings erected with these plate-shaped structural elements due to the elasticity inherent in the panels and the reinforcements, may be denoted earthquake proof, whereby more especially it is established that even with comparatively heavy strains no crumbling need be feared.

In FIG. 3 which is drawn on a smaller scale than in FIG. 2, but out of proportion with regard to thickness of the wall and the size of the socket, there is illustrated a wall which is portable and which may be arranged in any position within a room. The supporting synthetic material body 11 of the wall is provided with reinforcements 12, which projects at least at the lower edge of the wall at 13 beyond the wall. The two lateral surfaces of the wall are hardened with small plate-shaped elements 14, 15. More especially by means of the reinforcement projecting downwardly the Wall if fixed in a mobile socket 16, which is adapted, for example, as wrought iron work. The wall is preferably let into a channel 17 formed in this socket. The socket itself is provided with wheels 13, 19 so that the whole arrangement is mobile. lt is pointed out that in accordance with a preferred embodiment a bracket 20 for instance, such as used for ower boxes may be mounted on the socket. The invention also includes the arrangement of a shelf Z1 on which articles may be placed. It is pointed out that the socket has a separating wall 22 reaching to the oor and that according to a preferred embodiment there is arranged between the wheels a strip 23 of felt or the like, by means of which a perfect sealing effect is obtained. In this case it is also convenient to provide the upper edge of the wall with a corresponding strip if there are no guiding or fixing elements for a detachable connection to the ceiling.

FIG. 4 shows a special embodiment of a part of such a wall. In .this embodiment transversely extending reinforcements 24, 25, 26 slightly project from the lateral edge of the wall. In the lateral edge of the wall there are formed recesses 27, 2S, 29 corresponding to the projecting portions, in which recesses other projecting portions of other mobile walls belonging to a wall set may engage. This renders possible for a comparatively stable wall to be produced from several sections. It is pointed out that the arrangement of the recesses corresponding to the recesses 22--29 may also be formed in the lateral surfaces, so that it is possible for a corner to be formed comprising Walls anchored relative to one another.

FIG. shows a panel with partially embedded small plate-shaped elements in the synthetic material backing 30, which contains a binding ply 31. In this backing there is recessed a space between border webs 32, 33 into which the small plate-shaped elements 34 are embedded. The spaces 35 between the elements 34 for example are filled with a reproof substance. The space between the edges 8 32, 33 is liat and is provided with a coating of adhesive substance 36, intended for fixing the small plate-shaped elements into position.

FIG. 6 shows only a partial coating of the synthetic material panel 37, which has a binding ply 38. The sections 39 and 40 are lined in the manner as shown in FIG. 5. The section 4l is left exposed so that particularly when using large pored synthetic material the surface of the synthetic material at this point may be directly employed for soundproong. The section 41 may, for example, also be profiled corresponding to the lines 42.

FIG. 7 shows partly individually embedded small plateshaped elements; the synthetic material backing 44 in this design projects into the grooves between the small plateshaped elements, which on the under surface 45 may also be provided with adhesive. The upper portion of the grooves is filled with a special jointing mass 46. Preferably, there is mranged under the uppermost layer of the coating in the spaces a coating of bitumen which in the drawing is arranged, for instance, between the layer 46 and the synthetic base.

FIG. 8 shows an example with a frame 47 having a U-shaped profile. The synthetic material backing is cast into the frame so that reinforcement is effected therewith.

What I claim is:

1. A relatively thin precast wall panel for use as a cover for wall surfaces and the like, comprising a semirigid self-supporting panel formed of a thermosetting resin material having front and rear wall surfaces, a series of small plate-shaped elements of relatively large width and decreased thickness partially imbedded on at least one of said side walls of said panel and arranged in substantially uniform relation with their edges spaced from one another to form spacing gaps therebetween and form a single wall facing, said wall facing extending over the entire side of said wall panel to reinforce the same and present a decorative wall surface, and a lire resistant synthetic material disposed in said gap with the lling material surface disposed below the exposed plane surfaces of said plate-like elements, said tire resistant synthetic material forming a bond between the edges of said plate-like members and the thermosetting synthetic resin material from which said panel member is formed.

2. A wall panel construction as set forth in claim 1 in which an adhesive material is placed between the platelike elements and the synthetic resin plastic material to securely bind said plate-like elements in their imbedded position.

3. A wall panel construction as set forth in claim l in which bitumen material is placed over the synthetic material in said gap spaces between said small plate-shaped elements and a further cement is then disposed on top of said bitumen, the bitumen and cement further strengthening said wall surface and the outer surface of said supporting panel.

4. A wall panel con-struction as set forth in claim l in which the rear surfaces of said plate-shaped elements are provided with dovetailed grooves with the grooves being Wider at .their bottom than at their opening, said platelike members extending forwardly beyond the surface of ythe panel, and a. binding :material between each of said plate-shaped elements and said -thermosetting resin panel member to adhesively secure said plate-shaped elements in place.

5. A |wall panel construction as set forth in claim l in which the rear surface thereof is provided with a series of vertically and horizontally extending `grooves which extend -to the edge of the panel and intersect one another to form recesses for receiving supporting elements, said plate-like members extending forwardly from the panel and arranged from edge to edge over the front surface thereof.

6. A pre-formed Wall panel of a .thickness of approximately 1 om. comprising a substantially rigid panel formed of a thermosetting resin material having front and rear Wall surfaces, a series of small platedike decorative elements partially imbedded in said Ifront Wall surface arranged in uniformly spaced relation to form Agaps therebetween extending over the entire surface thereof, a lire resistant synthetic material disposed in said gaps with the surface thereof below the lplane of the surfaces of said plate-like elements to 'form a bond between the edges of said plate-like members Eand the thermosetting synthetic resin material from which said panel rneinber is formed, fastener elements extending from the rear surface of said panel having headed end portions imbedded therein, and

the rear surface o2 said panel being provided with a series of reinforcing rod receiving grooves whereby said pane-l can be attached to a. wm ysurface yfor being supported thereon and optionally arranged in 'back to back relation with said grooves mating and receiving reinforcing and supporting rods.

7. A pre-formed lwall panel of a thickness of approximately 1 cm., comprising a substantially rigid panel formed of `a thermosetting resin material having front and rear Wall surfaces and of a floor to ceiling length, a series of small plate-like decorative elements partially irnbedded in said front wall surface arranged in uniformly spaced close relation .to form gaps tnerebetweem said elements extending over the entire surface of said front wall, a lire resistant synthetic material disposed in said gaps with the surface thereof below the plane of the surfaces of said plate-like elements to forni a bond between the edges of said elements land the panel member, threaded fastener elements projecting from the rear surface of said panel having headed end portions limbedded therein, the rear surface of said panel being provided with a series ofi equidistantly spaced reinforcing rod receiving grooves, whereby said panel members can be `affixed to a wall surface by said threaded fasteners and can be optionally atranged in back to back relation to sandwich the reinforcing ybars therebetween in the mating reinforcing bar receiving grooves.

8. A pre-formed -Wall panel of a thickness off appro-Xirnately '1 cm., comprising a substantially rigid panel formed of a thermosetting resin material having front and rear wal-l surfaces `and of a ilo-or to ceiling length, the front surface of said panel being provided with a series of equidistantly spaced pockets extending over the entire surface thereof, plate-like decorative elements mounted in each of said pockets with their outer surfaces lying in the same plane, an adhesive coating on said plate-like element for anchoring the same in place, threaded fasteners projecting from the rear Surface of said panel having their headed portion imbedded therein, a series of uniformly spaced grooves in the rear sur-face of `said panel forming reinforcing rod receiving recesses, whereby said panel niembers can lbe 'axed to a wall surf-ace by said faste-ner elements and can be optionally arranged in sandwiched relation with said reinforcing bars, certain of said bars being arranged fto project beyond the edges of said panel member for being interlockingly received in correspondingly shaped openings in adiacent panels.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 875,395 Weber Dec. 311, 7 1,569,741 Glidden Ian. 12, 1926 1,619,773 Vander Pyl Mar. 1, 1927 1,678,439 -LeRoy July 2'4, 1928 `1,923,843 Premio Aug. 22, 1933 y2,t`r46,213 Schnurer lune 30; 1936 2,108,226 Johnston Feb. 15, 1938 2,441,364 Maynard May 1'1, 1948 2,548,029 Kurtz etal. i Apr. 10, 1951 2,626,206 Adler et al Ian. 20, 1953 2,694,228 Mathis Nov. 16, 1954 2,718,829 vSeymour etal Sept. 27, 1955 2,777,626 'French Ian. 15, 1957 V21,797,180 Baldanza June 25, 1957 `2,871,452 Tobin J an. 27, 1959 2,880,443 LetFebw/re Apr. 7, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 523,607 Belgium Nov. 14, 1953 1,087,984 lFrance Sept. 1, 1954 

1. A RELATIVELY THIN PRECAST WALL PANEL FOR USE AS A COVER FOR WALL SURFACES AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING A SEMIRIGID SELF-SUPPORTING PANEL FORMED OF A THERMOSETTING RESIN MATERIAL HAVING FRONT AND REAR WALL SURFACES, A SERIES OF SMALL PLATE-SHAPED ELEMENTS OF RELATVELY LARGE WIDTH AND DECREASED THICKNESS PARTIALLY IMBEDDED ON AT LEAST ONE OF SAID SIDE WALLS OF SAID PANEL AND ARRANGED IN SUBSTABTIALLY UNIFORM RELATION WITH THEIR EDGES SPACED FROM ONE ANOTHER TO FORM SPACING GAPS THEREBETWEEN AND FORM A SINGLE WALL FACING, SAID WALL FACING EXTENDING OVER THE ENTIRE SIDE OF SAID WALL PANEL TO REINFORCE THE SAME AND PRESENT A DECORATIVE WALL SURFACE, AND A FIRE RESISTANT SYNTHETIC MATERIAL DISPOSED IN SAID GAP WITH THE FILLNG MATERIAL SURFACE DISPOSED BELOW THE EXPOSED PLANE SURFACES OF SAID PLATE-LIKE ELEMENTS, SAID FIRE RESISTANT SYNTHETIC MATERIAL FORMING A BOND BETWEEN THE EDGES OF SAID PLATE-LIKE MEMBERS AND THE THERMOSETTING SYNTHETIC RESIN MATERIAL FROM WHICH SAID PANEL MEMBER IS FORMED. 